Wiggins is quietly silencing his doubters with Warriors

[Ca$H]

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/wa...ining-warriors

“He's more than capable as ‘Two-way Wiggs,” as we call him now, at just being able to make his presence felt,” Stephen Curry said. “I think he really cares about the defensive end, and being with us, he's able to kind of show it night after night. There's an expectation of it now. He's proven that he can definitely make an impact on that end of the floor, guarding the ball, off the ball or whatever.”

Wiggins’ on-ball defense has opponents shooting 40.0 percent, better than such respected defenders as Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort (43.3), Boston’s Jaylen Brown (43.5) and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam (44.0).

On shots from 15 feet or further, where many wings thrive, the failure rate against Wiggins is 67.4 percent, roughly the same as Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (67.5) and better than Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (61.4) and Portland’s 3-and-D wing Robert Covington (59.3). The failure rate against Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, considered a “defensive specialist,” is 63.9.

Defense is, first and foremost, about effort. About caring. Wiggins leads the Warriors on contesting shots (13.5 per game) and ranks ahead of such dogged on-ball defenders as Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (8.8) and Toronto’s Fred VanVleet (10.9).

Wiggins is averaging 17.8 points per game, shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 40.0 percent beyond the arc. Subtract the first two games, when he was as atrocious as the rest of the Warriors (10-of-34 from the field, 2-of-10 from deep), and Wiggins is shooting 48.3 percent overall, 43.1 percent from deep.

[k0kakw0rld]

The next Kobe/T-Mac aka Maple Jordan is struggling to average 18 ppg in the NBA. The hate is deserved.

[Uncle Drew]

I hate to break it to you, but he could win MVP this season and still not have lived up to the expectations.

[Axe]

Bandwagon fans are not going to like him anymore once he does better than curry.

Oh wait.

[hold this L]

Honestly surprised he's playing so well. His role now that it's defined has been damn good. Just need him to continue that way defensively and up his scoring % just a bit.

[tpols]

It's the Dingo effect at work.

[Doranku]

Kinda funny that his reputation was so far in the gutter that 18/5/2 on 45% shooting is silencing the doubters.

[ralph_i_el]

I know he had huge expectations, but playing like this he is a really valuable player. Teams need wing defenders.

[Bay Area Baller]

I'm afraid some of you have fallen aschleeep on my Warriors. Evaluate for yourselves, dont buy the negativity and dont schleebp on these Warriors.

[Taurus]

He'll never live up to expectations, but it seems he finally found a solid role on the Warriors. Also he'd still prolly go 3rd overall if they did a re-draft for his year

[2ball]

Kinda funny that his reputation was so far in the gutter that 18/5/2 on 45% shooting is silencing the doubters.

This is literally what he’s always been lol

[warriorfan]

It's the Dingo effect at work.

This.

[Marchesk]

His defensive rating is listed as 111 on BR through 25 games. Everyone has got the idea that Wiggins is an elite wind defender now. I guess because he had one of those good games he has every so often guarding Kawhi. But, it is an improvement on previous seasons. His blocks playing for the Warriors are way up.

His 3P% is good, but his 2P and FT% are not for a perimeter player. His ORTG is only 104, and his BPM is -1.1.

This is more about playing alongside Curry and for an organization that knows how to win and use players optimally. Wiggins is destined to be one of those players people keep seeing great potential in, becuase he was a #1 pick and had great raw athletic ability.

[KKittles30]

Because no one in Minnesota even knew he played defense. During his entire career with the Wolves we called him An_rew Wiggins. Because he was always lazy and never cared to even try. Magically goes to Golden State now he wants to care.... Who knew you just had to wait 7 years for a #1 pick to develop and mature and show that he actually could play 2 ways.

[Ca$H]

Kinda funny that his reputation was so far in the gutter that 18/5/2 on 45% shooting is silencing the doubters.

The difference this season is the 40 3P% and his defense.